The RSPCA has lost a court of appeal challenge against a ruling that overturned a will leaving them a £2.35m farmhouse and land in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

University lecturer Christine Gill, 59, an only child, had won a high court battle to overturn her parents' will that left their 287-acre farm to the charity, after claiming her "domineering" father coerced her mother into making it.

Gill said in a statement: "It was a matter of huge regret and disappointment to me and my family that the RSPCA chose not to accept the original decision, forcing us to endure another court hearing."

She added: "We can now settle back into our lives on the family farm that I love, and which I have dedicated many years to maintaining."

Before the appeal, a number of charities said they were "very concerned at its possible implications for the charity sector". The RSPCA said it was "disappointed" with the outcome but respected the judgment and wished Dr Gill and her family well. In a statement it said that it felt it was right to appeal to honour the testamentary wishes of Gill's mother.

" The RSPCA has always been concerned that this case may deter people from leaving gifts to charities in their Wills, which would be detrimental to the charity sector. This has been our motivation for this appeal in seeking to clarify the legal landscape. "